Should I Eat Spinach?

Not only is there one, but there are two days a year devoted to celebrating spinach! Mark your calendars for National Spinach Day on March 26th and Fresh Spinach Day on July 16th.

Why should you celebrate and eat this leafy green superfood? Spinach is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital to your everyday diet. If you don’t eat spinach already, this might change your mind.

Spinach is nutrient-dense, but a two-cup serving of spinach contains only twelve calories, two grams of carbohydrates, and one gram of fiber. Despite this, it is packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, beta carotene, folate, and potassium. When combined, these ingredients have an outstanding effect on every part of your body.

The Health Benefits of Spinach

Spinach Protects Your Eyes

Spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are plant compounds that accumulate in the retina of your eye to act as a shield, filtering out blue light and harmful radicals. Spinach also contains beta carotene, which is commonly known to improve eyesight.

Spinach Strengthens Your Bones

Spinach contains a high amount of vitamin K, which is necessary for bone metabolism to help protect your bones and prevent osteoporosis. Spinach also includes other bone-strengthening vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and vitamin D.

Spinach Promotes Heart Health and Better Blood Pressure

The plant compound lutein prevents the thickening of artery walls, reducing the risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Spinach also contains naturally occurring nitrates which work to lower your blood pressure.

Spinach Improves Your Energy Level

Spinach’s high levels of magnesium provide your body with all-day energy. It is also high in folate, a nutrient that helps the body turn food into usable energy.

Adding spinach to your morning smoothies is an easy way to start including it into your everyday diet.

SmoothieBox offers a Green Super Smoothie made with spinach, apples, and pineapple. Learn More »

After learning all that spinach can do to your body, it's nice to know spinach has two special days. Way to go spinach!

References

Horton, Brierley. (2020, February 21). "5 Amazing Health Benefits of Spinach. "

Banerjee, Drishti. (2019, July 3). “5 Wonderful Benefits Of Spinach You Never Knew.” NDTV Food.